The 58th annual festival is back, bringing Shakespeare and culture to the Louisville masses during its free summer engagement in Central Park, 1340 S. Fourth St.

“It’s our favorite time of year as we return to our roots in Central Park for the summer," Producing Artistic Director Matt Wallace said. “From the time students get out of school to when they go back in August, we’ll be there for you with free programming all summer long."

The season begins with "The Comedy of Errors," on May 30, followed by "Henry IV, Part I" on June 14 and finally "Othello" on June 28. Each production will run for two weeks, followed by all three productions in rotating repertory July 10-22, according to a news release announcing the 2018 season.

If you're new to Shakespeare and feel overwhelmed that the productions might go over your head, don't worry. Wallace, producing artistic director for both "The Comedy of Errors" and "Othello," said "give it a shot."

"Shakespeare is meant to be seen and heard. ... We take it off a pedestal, out of the library, and onto the stage … into our lives. I promise we’ll present it in an accessible way," he added. "Shakespeare belongs to everyone."

Besides, it's not just Shakespeare at the festival. Look for nightly pre-show entertainment, a Brown-Forman bar, a gift shop, and 28 rotating food trucks from the Louisville Food Truck Association. The sound system has also been upgraded, plus there are new benches and restrooms to make Central Park all the more inviting for festival attendees.

"If you haven’t been lately, you haven’t been," Wallace said.

“Shakespeare is meant to be seen and heard. ... We take it off a pedestal, out of the library, and onto the stage … into our lives.”

Matt Wallace, producing artistic director

While there have been improvements to the grounds, the core mission of Kentucky Shakespeare remains the same.

"It’s all about those we serve … breaking down geographic and socioeconomic barriers to the arts," he said. "The arts inspire and encourage empathy and bring us together for shared, intergenerational community experiences."

The urban setting, and price point and ease of access also help set it apart from similar programs.

"Audience members at Shakespeare in Central Park in New York wait in line all day for a ticket for free Shakespeare there," Wallace said. "Here, you can come as you are ... first come-first serve!"

It's meant to be accessible. And fun for the entire family.

Shakespeare "was writing entertainment for the people. It's a true community arts festival," he said.

"We are presenting 'The Comedy of Errors,' which follows two sets of twins separated at birth. Over the past few seasons, it’s been funny to see audience members get actors Neill Robertson and Tony Milder confused with one another," Wallace said. "Well, this season, they’ll be dressed identically and playing twins. Let the hilarity ensue."

The comedy is actually Shakespeare shortest play and a "farcical madcap romp," something Wallace said can, at times, present a challenge during directing.

"I find comedy is much fun but often more difficult in some ways — the precision, timing, physicality, finding what is the funniest choice is, etc.," said. "Directing a tragedy is taxing in other ways as we mine into difficult areas" with the actors.

Here's a look at the three shows in the 2018 Kentucky Shakespeare Festival:

The Comedy of Errors

An early Shakespeare comedy that was last performed professionally on the Kentucky Shakespeare stage 24 years ago. It is set in ancient Greece and is a classic farce following two sets of identical twins separated at birth.

Henry IV, Part I

Set in the politically unstable and violent world of 1400s England, this historic play explores honor, nobility, loyalty and power in the royal court and in the low-class taverns of London. The play is the second installment in the “Game of Kings” series, also known as the Henriad.

Othello

A classic tragedy set in a contemporary military world. It's an iconic story of love, jealousy and deceit and stars Kentucky Shakespeare veterans Jon Huffman as Iago and Dathan Hooper as Othello.

Other events:

Louisville Improvisors return with Late Night Shakes on select Saturdays with late night improvised Shakespeare shows, June 2, 16, 30 and Aug. 4.

Kentucky Shakespeare’s Globe Players Professional Training Program for high school students will present Romeo & Juliet, directed by Kentucky Shakespeare’s Director of Education Kyle Ware, July 25-28.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company returns July 29 and 31 to present its touring production of "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" directed by Caitlin McWethy.

The Louisville Ballet also returns with its world premier version of "The Tempest." Created by Roger Creel and Scott Moore, the production features performers from the Louisville Ballet and original music and choreography by Creel and Moore. The production runs August 1-5, closing out the season.

So what's next for Kentucky Shakespeare? Wallace has his eye on future seasons.

"There are six Shakespeare plays we’ve never performed in our 58 seasons," he said. "Three of them are the Henry IV plays. I’d love to see us to them someday, perhaps combined into one performance and evening, setting up Richard III."